*Sigh*
I have a proposal for you.
Next weekend, let's have a special lesson outside of class.
(A special lesson, huh...?)
(I was startled when Mr. Yukihira made that offer...)
(But to think it'd be to help out at my dad's exhibit...)
I mean, why his exhibit of all things...?
Do I really have to help...?
(Come to think of it, I used to do that a lot.)
Umm... The caption for this painting goes here and...
There.
I've finished doing everything I was asked to do.
Hmm... But there's still some time before the exhibit opens.
I think I'll take this chance to have a look around.
(Dad hardly ever teaches me anything himself, so I need to learn what I can by examining his paintings...)
(Still, I wish he'd help me a little more since I'm also trying to become a professional artist...)
Oh, this painting...
I saw him working on it in his studio the other day...
(Interesting... This is nothing like the sketch I saw... Did he change how he paints the surfaces of water and stuff...?)
(The theme for this exhibit is “calmness”, so he might've changed things up to make sure it fits.)
(But this is the only part that looks different...)
(Oh, I get it now. He used his usual technique for the greenery but changed his approach for the water, making the water's surface stand out even more than the main subject.)
(But I feel like there's more to this painting. Why are my eyes so drawn to it...?)
(Is it the colors he used? The way he framed it...?)
In any case, it's really amazing.
(I hope I can paint like this someday.)
(I'm going to become a famous artist just like Dad, and have my art be seen by lots of people...)
(After all, I am his daughter, so I'm sure—)
Excuse me, are you by chance Mr. Shinonome's daughter?
Huh...?
Oh, sorry for popping out of nowhere.
I heard that his daughter's in junior high and would be helping out today. You seemed to fit the bill.
Oh, um... Yes, I'm Ena Shinonome.
Hehe. Nice to meet you.
It's so sweet of you to help with your father's exhibit.
I'm here because I also like to paint.
So I'm here to learn as much as I can.
Really? That's so admirable!
You seemed so focused just now when you were looking at that painting...
I'm sure you'll also become a famous artist just like your father. I'll be rooting for you.
Yes, I promise to become one!
(Yeah. Dad's been able to make it big like this...)
(There's no way I'm not going to also become a famous artist in the future.)
(I was so naive...)
Also, am I gonna have to tell him about that when I go to help out with his exhibit...?
(I feel like that's gonna be so awkward since we hardly talk to each other as it is...)
(It's not like I have to tell him anyway...)
(Now I'm starting to wonder what I should and shouldn't say.)
Is there even any point to this special lesson...?
(I honestly don't know what Mr. Yukihira's thinking, but...)
For now, I should go...